Fiat 500 Enters Guinness Book of Records

Press Release

500 Fiat 500's spell 500

On Sunday 9 July, at the Dei Fiori racecourse at Villanova d’Albenga, 750 cinquecentisti participating in the XXIII International Meeting at Garlenda set off on an exciting adventure. A number of other initiatives was also organised alongside the meeting, starting with an animated choreography of banners with the logo “500 wants you, www.fiat500.com”, publicising Fiat’s forthcoming new model, which will inherit the legacy of Italy’s legendary utility car. Additionally, a light aircraft towed a banner promoting the website for the new 500 along the entire coast line from San Remo to Genoa.

Approximately 5000 spectators and team members started the record breaking day by filling the grandstands of the racecourse to watch the cars as they formed the “500 logo” of the Fiat 500 Club Italia. A helicopter took off from nearby Clemente Panero airport to photograph the over 500 multicoloured cars in formation on the track. Among those taking part was the manager of Fiat brand public relations, Giovanni Perosino. In honour of the original utility car designed by Dante Giacosa, Perosino stated: “The 500 was and will be made by the people for the people. It is the essence of optimism, passion, style and fun.” Domenico Romano, honorary president and founder of the club, commented on this marvellous adventure by saying: “This is an extraordinary success! A great event and the crowning moment of a dream. The 500 is loved by everyone who enjoys simple things. It is a car that unites the world. It is planetary.”

After the aerial photograph, the cars left the track, forming a snaking train of cars over three kilometres in length, and headed off towards Casanova Lerrone. As it passed Castello Costa Del Carretto in Garlenda, the convoy exceeded the two miles in length needed to make it into the Guinness book of records. This XXIII edition, which ended with a new record, paves the way to the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of the 500 in 2007.